Three from Mr. Franklin

I am for doing good to the poor, but…I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. I observed…that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer. 

—  Benjamin Franklin

When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. 

—  Benjamin Franklin

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech. 

— Benjamin Franklin

Hey Bartender!

The only wise thing about having a third martini is that you’re not yet having a fourth. - Eno Putain

Taverns are universal places, like churches, hallowed meeting places of all mankind. - Iris Murdoch

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading. - Henny Youngman

Make that a double!

The whole world is about three drinks behind. - Humphrey Bogart

When you stop drinking, you have to deal with this marvelous personality that started you drinking in the first place. - Jimmy Breslin

I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me. - Winston Churchill

Prosperity

In prosperity let us particularly avoid pride, disdain and arrogance. - Cicero

Prosperity is only an instrument to be used, not a deity to be worshipped. - Calvin Coolidge


Few of us can stand prosperity. Another man’s, I mean. - Mark Twain

The Devil made me do it

In the midst of a world of light and love, of song and feast and dance, Lucifer could find nothing to think of more interesting than his own prestige. - C. S. Lewis

To admire Satan [in Paradise Lost] is to give one's vote not only for a world of misery, but also for a world of lies and propaganda, of wishful thinking, of incessant autobiography. - C. S. Lewis

The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross. - St. Anthony of Egypt

The Devil never runs upon a man to seize him with his claws until he sees him on the ground, already having fallen by his own will. - St. Thomas More

Food for thought

Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy. - Robert Heinlein

Curiosity

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. - Samuel Johnson

The important thing is to not stop questioning. - Albert Einstein